“What does adoption mean to a child?”

Kelly's Adoption Experience

My name is Kelly and this is my adoption story.

I was in an unhealthy relationship and found myself pregnant. There were two possible fathers. My boyfriend wanted me to have an abortion, and I almost did but the morning of the procedure I knew I couldn’t do it. So my boyfriend and I talked about it and he agreed to stand by me and help be go through with an adoption. He found American Adoptions and gave me their phone number. I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew adoption was the best thing for the baby I was carrying, but I was scared and hormonal, and felt like no one understood my pain.

Around four months of pregnancy, I called American Adoptions and became in contact with an adoption specialist. I felt an immediate connection. I was depressed and unsure of everything and she was very understanding and patient, never pressuring me about anything. She gave me nothing but encouragement and support. She answered all of my questions and when I had nothing to say she let me cry. I did back off from the adoption for a bit to make sure I was doing the right thing. I kept second guessing myself. I was just so scared and felt so alone and confused.

Around five months of pregnancy, my unhealthy relationship with my boyfriend ended and the other possible father really didn’t care. All he ever said was, “Is it mine?” So around six months, I started looking at potential adoptive parents. I saw a few I liked a little bit, but nothing ever felt “right.” I was scared I wouldn’t find the perfect parents for my child. I then took a break from looking for parents.

Seven-and-a-half months into pregnancy, my adoption specialist sent me a packet with 8-10 profiles of couples wanting to adopt. In that group of profiles, I read Paul and Becky’s and knew I’d found my child’s parents. They had everything I was looking for. They showed extreme love for each other and ready to share their love with a child and were also open to a semi-open adoption. We had a conference call between us and my adoption specialist for our first conversation. I was so nervous, but as soon as we started talking it just confirmed my choice of them as my child’s parents. We had a great connection from the beginning, and we even picked out the same name without the other knowing. I believe it was meant to be and God brought this couple into my life for my child and vice versa.

From that day we spoke often through e-mails and phone calls, just awaiting birth. Because they lived 1,300 miles away, I planned on an induction, so they could be a part of it all from labor to birth.

Today, my son is almost 2 years old. He is a proud big brother to a beautiful little girl. His adoptive mom and dad became pregnant four months after adopting him! We are in constant contact, sharing emails, pictures, cards, and we even Skype. I got to share his first Christmas with him last year. We have an amazing adoption story and our story just continues to get better. I’m now remarried and raising my 10-year-old daughter. I’m wanting to go back to school to better myself and better my family.

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Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

American Adoptions, a private adoption agency founded on the belief that lives of children can be bettered through adoption, provides safe adoption services to children, birth parents and adoptive families by educating, supporting and coordinating necessary services for adoptions throughout the United States. For more information on American Adoptions, please call 1-800-ADOPTION (236-7846)